Bunion protector and arch brace



May 1, 1928.

- I N. v. LEVlTT BUNION PROTECTQR AND ARCH BRACE Filed Nov. 1923 gwuentoc 2 Mia F1602?! Patented May 1, 1928.

UNITED" STATES NATHAN v. Lnvrrr, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

isu v on rno'rnoros AND ARCH Barren. g 7

Application filed November 24, 1923. Serial No. 676,833.

' My'present invention relates to bunion protectors and arch braces, and particularly to. a device of this character adapted to be worn by a bunion sufferer and to exert a corrective influence upon the transverse metatarsal arch to, replace dislocated or distorted bones in the tarsus. n

An object of my invention is to provide a "device which will protect the soft tissue and inflamed cartilaginous surfaceof the head of the metatarsal, and which will hold thesh'oe from contact to press upon and to further irritate the bunion joint;

A further object resides in so constructing the bunion protector that the parts thereof exert a yielding confining pressure upon the entire structure of the tarsus to'draw in the displaced metatarsal bones and to aid the weakened transverse muscles in maintaining a proper transverse arch.

A. still further object lies in providing a flexible brace portion to confine the foot arch in those portions containing'the dis,- placed bones, and in providing an elastic portion which will give with the movement of the foot and will serve to restrainthe foot structure without exerting undue pressure upon any portion.

l/Vith the above and other objects in view, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will now be set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved bunion protector and arch brace.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device showing the manner of fitting the same upon a foot.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the show ing in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a skeletonized view showing the manner in which the protective and corrective pressure is exerted upon a foot.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the structure.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 3.

A foot encircling band 1, of elastic material, is made of sufiicient width to embrace a substantial portion of the tarsus of a foot, and the length of the band will be governed by the size of the foot, it being preferable that my improved protector and brace structure be made in various sizes, and be con structed for use upon the right or the left foot, as a better corrective influence is exerted where a more or. less exactfitting of the device is attained.

The ends of the elastic band lfare brought around to an abutting relation, and substantially wing-shaped arch brace member 2 is secured over these ends, by stitching 3 or in any other suitable manner, the band and the brace member being preferably cemented or otherwise secured together so that a smooth surface will be presentedon the inside. The brace n1embcr2 is preferably made of a more or less flexible leather, and is preferably so secured upon the elastic band that a greater portion thereof is presented against the plantar surfaceot the instep arch than upon the top of the foot, this brace member being disposed as a stiiiening and bracing cuii' against the soft inner side of the instep arch and confining the firstmetatarsal and its associated muscles and tendons. The member 2 is preferably scarred or feathered at its edges to prevent rubbing or injuryjof any portion otthe foot, and the t'orward edge ii is preferably extended beyond the forward edge of band 1, and is thinned down to'be quite flexible.

It is my purpose that this protector and brace structure shall be fitted upon the foot with the edge at of the member 2 immediately in the rear and at the side of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint, and the band 1 and member 2 will serve efficiently to draw in and confine the spread metatarsal bones, this structure exerting a yielding and even pressure upon all portions of the tarsus to urge the bones toward a normal and natural relation; however, it is desirable that some provision be made to hold the shoe out of contact with the inflamed portions 01 the great toe joint. l/Vith this in mind,-I provide a protective pad 5 within the band 1 immediately adjacent the edge 41-. This protective pad, which is cemented, sewed or otherwise secured in place, is preferably made of sponge rubber, lelt, or other suitable eushion material, and is preferably covered to give a smooth surface, the covering being gradually merged into the feathered edge a at its forward edge.

In the use of my improved bunion protector and arch brace, the band 1 is fitted pad 5 will serve to hold the shoe, generally indicated by the dotted lines 6, in Fig 4:, away from the inflamed and enlarged o1nt.

As a shorter extent of the elastic portion 1 is presented beneath the foot, the tendency will be to draw in the metatarsal bones and to resiliently hold these in a naturally arched articulation. As the weight is borne uponthe foot, the band 1 gives to permit natural movement and reflexes to aid the weakened transverse muscles in returning the bones to the arched relation, when the pressure of the weight is removed. The pad 5 serves at all times to retain the protector and brace in a proper relation upon the tarsus, and to positively hold the shoe upper out from contact with the bunion joint. 7 7

While I have herein shown and described my improved bunion protector and arch brace as being made of certain materials constructed and assembled in a certain rela tion, it will be appreciated that changes and variations can be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A bunion protector and arch brace comprising an elastic band to encircle the anterior metatarsal arch portion of a foot, and a substantially wing-shaped arch brace member of a nonelastic stiffening material like sole leather carried by said band to embrace the side and upper and lower surfaces of the foot around the first metatarsal and back of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint and substantially conforming to these portions of the foot due to its wing-shape form.

2. A bunion protector and arch support comprising an elastic band to encircle the anterior metatarsal arch portion of a foot, a substantially wing-shaped flexible arch brace member" of a 'nonelastic stifiening material like sole leather carried by said band to embrace the side and upper and lower surfaces of the foot around the first metatarsal and beneath the inner side of the instep arch, and a pad within the arch brace member disposed to fit against the side of the foot back of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

3. A bunion protector, and arch support comprising a wide elastic band, to encircle the anterior metatarsal arch portion of a foot, a substantially wing-shaped leather arch brace member of a nonelastic stiffening material like sole leather carried by said band to embrace the side and uppen and lower surfaces oi? the foot around thefirst metatarsal and beneath the instep arch, said arch brace member being reduced at its edges and being inherently flexible, anda cushion pad within the arch brace member disposed to fit againstthe side of the foot back of the first metatarso-phalangcal joint to hold a shoe upper from contact withthc joint and to retain the brace member in a proper fitting.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

NATHAN V. LEVITT. 

